Just Remember to Breathe

This book overwhelmed me from start to finish. As someone who has been injured in a terrorist attack, I completely identified with Dylan, a war vet. On the other hand, having cared for someone, I also identify with Alex. It was also fun because I lived on the Upper West Side in NY so knew all the places mentioned.

I read the book from start to finish in one day and spent much of that in tears. This was a book that touched a nerve with me and I'm so glad that I read it.

Just Remember to Breathe is Not Just a Title Anymore

Just Remember to Breathe by Charles Sheehan-Miles is an enthralling love story that delves into the extremely relevant issues of Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome, Childhood abuse, and class-induced stereotypes. It is a poignant and sometimes emotionally overwhelming experience of both life and love. One of the aspects that make this tale not only touching, but also sincerely realistic is that the tale is not made of sunshine and roses. The characters face demons consisting of both outside influences and internal turmoil brought on by past horrors and the scars from such experiences.

The main characters, Alex Thompson and Dylan Paris, share their combined story by taking turns, thus giving show more readers a complete view of the feelings and emotions that color each of his and her life. Each character is complete and well written. The lives perceived by readers are so vivid it is though one is present at each scene and knows each character personally.

The plot evolves with smooth transition weaving a clear path for both characters and readers. Like the characters, the plot is well tooled and written to invoke clear images and possibly pull from a reader’s memories. Echoing present-day life, this tale is one that readers will engulf themselves in until the final word. show less

Just Remember To Breathe is a poignant love story about second chances that simply takes your breath away.

Alexandra "Alex" Thompson and Dylan Paris met three years ago on an exchange student program trip to Israel. There was a mutual attraction at first sight even though they come from very different backgrounds and opposite sides of the country, but the trip would forever change their lives. For two years they had an on/off long distance relationship that encompassed Alex's senior year in high school and first year of college at Columbia University, and Dylan serving in the Army in Afghanistan. During Alex's first year at Columbia University, a misunderstanding occurs between Alex and Dylan during their Skype date, and it results in a show more break up that leaves both of them heartbroken and shattered. When the new school year starts, Dylan is a wounded veteran registered at Coulmbia, he and Alex unexpectedly meet again at a work study assignment, they try to avoid one another but they are still drawn to each other. With an intense past relationship that ended with two broken hearts, and personal demons between them, can Alex and Dylan find a way to give their love another chance?

Author Charles Sheehan-Miles weaves an emotionally intense and gut wrenching love story that pulls at the heartstrings. Written in the first person narrative in the present time with flashbacks to the past; with chapters alternating between the point of view of Alex Thompson and Dylan Paris; and richly descriptive settings in Israel, New York, Afghanistan and San Francisco; the reader gets swept away in a powerfully intense and palpable story about the complicated love relationship between two young adults from very different worlds.

This intriguing story flows seamlessly as the reader connects with both Alex and Dylan as their story unfolds. You can't help but get drawn into their lives as Alex and Dylan gives the reader their perspective on the ups and downs of their relationship. This multi-layered storyline has enough drama, emotion, twists and turns that keeps the reader engaged and turning the pages. I loved that the storyline has Alex and Dylan dealing with various issues in their relationship: opposite attraction; different upbringing / rich v poor; alcoholism, drugs, rape; and devastating war injuries including PTSD and Brain Injury. The author does a wonderful job of providing flashbacks into their past history along with the present and other events that eventually lead up to a satisfying and sweet romantic ending.

With a cast of characters who are realistic, flawed, and easy to relate to; a mixture of humorous and heart wrenching dialogue and interactions; and a storyline with enough emotional pull that you can feel the intensity of Alex and Dylan's love and agonizing turmoil in their relationship; Just Remember To Breathe is a wonderful love story that makes you believe in the power and beauty of second chances.

Just Remember To Breathe is the first book in the Thompson Sisters series. While this book can be a stand alone read, to fully appreciate the Thompson sisters' stories, I would suggest you read the series in sequential order.

Disclaimer: I received the book from the author / AToMR Tours in exchange for my honest review.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2013/04/just-remember-to-breathe-by-ch... show less

If your looking for a book with a lot of Hot Steamy Sex this is not that book.
However it is a wonderful Love story which as we all know is still Lady Porn!

Lots of Misunderstandings and assumptions were made as well as not truly being able to express their love for each other. This all makes for an up and down of Joy and heart break then throw some outside threat and you got a sweet love story.
I was not even half way through and things seemed to fall in place and were going to work out for Alex and Dylan so I knew it wasn't going to be that simple and of course it wasn't.
Great ending.

Quotes:

"You still smell like strawberries, and it's breaking my heart."

"Only because it looks like you and hormone girl are back together."

"I'd say you're show more worth falling in love with twice." show less

The main characters, Alex and Dylan, take the readers on a really emotional journey as they reconnect and heal. I really enjoyed this book, it was romantic, but not at all cheesy, and well written.

Where to begin? I am a sucker for love rekindled stories. Add in a wounded man, and a huge misunderstanding? I am hooked! This is the first book I have read by CSM, and it blew me away. I instantly fell in love with the Thompson sisters and wanted to know more. And who couldn't love Dylan? There are many twists and turns and you will be gripped from the first page to the last.

This book took me forever to read.. it was a short, touching story that had every component to make it a great emotional book. Something about it had me feeling detached. I don't know if it was the characters or how the story itself unfolded. Overall, I liked the book but it didn't capture my attention. I am sure that others will disagree.